[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 159 (2013), Part 2]
[Senate]
[Page 2892]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                COMMEMORATING ISRAEL'S 65TH ANNIVERSARY

  Ms. STABENOW. Mr. President, this year marks 65 years since the State 
of Israel was born, and I wish to speak today about the importance of 
that occasion and the celebration that will take place in communities 
all across the world.
  Our country has a deep friendship with Israel, dating back to just 11 
minutes after its creation on May 14, 1948, when President Harry Truman 
became one of the first world leaders to recognize Israel's 
independence.
  Our two nations have always been friends and allies in our struggle 
to make the world a safer place. I am proud of our long friendship and 
our shared values.
  When Israel was founded, the Jewish people finally had a home. The 
new State provided not only a refuge to Jews who survived the 
unprecedented horrors of the Holocaust, but also a place to begin anew. 
Even in such a tough and unforgiving climate, the Jewish people knew 
they could build a country that could help change the world.
  The Walk the Land 65 project is the perfect way to celebrate Israel's 
anniversary. The theme of this year's walk is to celebrate life, and 
people all across the world will join together and walk through their 
communities by honoring Israel's gifts to the world, especially those 
regarding life: creating life, sustaining life, saving life, preserving 
life, enhancing life, protecting life, improving life, cherishing life, 
nurturing life and beautifying life.
  As a collaboration between the Afikim Foundation, the World Zionist 
Organization and the Israel Ministry of Public Diplomacy and Diaspora 
Affairs, Walk the Land 65 is showing the world just how important 
Israel's contributions to the world really are.
  I am pleased to see walks taking place across my home State of 
Michigan: in Flint, Grand Rapids and Metro Detroit.
  Every religious, cultural and ethnic group across the State is an 
important thread in Michigan's rich cultural fabric. We in Michigan are 
proud of our Jewish communities and their contributions to our State.
  One important attribute that the people of Israel share with the 
people of the United States is our system of values. Both countries are 
lands of freedom and democracy. While these two countries were formed 
at very different times, they both uphold and honor critical freedoms--
freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of association, freedom 
of the press, and government by the consent of the governed.
  This foundation has led to a country that truly celebrates life and 
works to improve life across the world. Israel began in a desert, but 
today, it is a fountain of culture, innovation and industry.
  This didn't happen overnight, though. David Ben-Gurion and the 
founders of Israel had a great vision for their country. They built 
Israel from scratch, turning the arid land into fertile farms and 
thriving cities.
  Israel is a leader in innovation for creating, sustaining, preserving 
and saving lives through its work in agriculture and health care. It is 
also enhancing life through its innovation in technology, alternative 
energy and so many other fields.
  Today, Israel is among the top three countries in the world in terms 
of patents per capita, and number one in terms of startup businesses 
per capita. Israel is also a leader in clean energy research and 
development, and is helping to create the power the world needs.
  The Israeli people are leaders in celebrating life, as evidenced by 
their humanitarian works and their pioneering medical advances that 
will save and improve people's lives, and they are making a real 
difference throughout the world.
  Israel continues to serve as a shining model of democratic values, 
and an important presence in the region; it shows the world that 
democracy can survive--and--thrive anywhere people wish to be free.
  I am proud of our friendship, and I am proud to help celebrate 
Israel's 65th Anniversary with the Walk the Land 65 Project.
  Congratulations to the people Israel and everyone involved in this 
wonderful project.

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